Bangalore: Strategically located Tunisia today (Feb 13, 2004) invited Indian Information Technology (IT) companies to use it as a gateway to Europe, Africa and the Arab world to duck the outsourcing outcry, and also forge partnerships to win large contracts.

At an Indo-Tunisian business meeting, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Tunisia's Minister for IT and Internet, Montassar Quaili, referred to "jealousy" being faced by some Indian Companies, and said the firms can expand their business through his country and promote their products/services under "Made in Tunisia" brand.

"That will make it easier for you", he said as he made a strong pitch for Indian investment in the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sector, in the company of Ambassador of Tunisia to India Elyes Qasri, and Chairman of Tunisia's Foreign Investment Promotion Agency Abdel Salam Mansoor.

It was noted that Tunisia, a French-speaking progressive Muslim country where primary education is compulsory and polygamy has been banned many years ago, is at the "cross-roads" of Europe, Africa and the Middle East. "We have enjoyed historical and traditional links with Europe", he said.

Strongly urging Indian IT companies to float joint ventures with their Tunisian counterparts, Quaili said they can together expand to new markets on a strong footing.

Right now, some Tunisian companies are not strong enough and they don't have strong back up. Indian companies can team up with them and bid for large projects, he noted. Indian companies can hold 60 per cent stake in a joint venture with their Tunisian counterparts, he said.

The Minister said interested Indian companies need to hurry up to forge partnerships and if they do not do so, "somebody else will". Twelve per cent of the total FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) into Tunisia goes into the ICT sector, he said. Indian companies can also foray into French-speaking African countries.

"Float joint ventures and conquer new markets," he said.